A Florida Protestant pastor’s proposal to burn the Qu’ran and the controversy over the construction of a mosque near Ground Zero were topics discussed at the latest session of the Midwest Catholic-Muslim Dialogue.

“We Catholics were first persecuted for our faith when we began to arrive in great numbers in this country a century and a half ago,” said Father Jeffrey Day, delegate of Auxiliary Bishop Francis Reiss of Detroit at the dialogue session. “Thus, we are very sensitive to the situation of Muslims in this country who are facing similar discrimination based solely on their faith. Given the current socio-political environment and what is at stake for all of us as people of faith, I believe that it is necessary for us to continue to strive for a relationship where Catholics and Muslims are truly committed to each other’s welfare.”

The session concluded on October 26, five days before the massacre at Baghdad’s Syrian Catholic cathedral left 58 dead and 75 wounded.

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More "political correctness" at a time when 70 Christians were butchered by fanatics in their own Cathedral. Whatever happened to the principle of reciprocity? When are we going to admit that the vast majority of Muslims are decent people but that there is a minority who has hijacked the faith of millions and who preaches violence and hatred in God's name? Just a few days ago radical Muslims threatened the Vatican and a woman has been sentenced to death because she converted to Christianity.

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